The efficiency high/low end discussion here reminds me of when HDS systems came out with a new driver that prioritized efficiency at high outputs (those B85 days 
). The older drivers had something like 4x the runtime at the lowest setting compared to the same output with the new driver (although the new drivers were no slouch, my old edc140n ran for well over 400hrs on a primary 123 cell when I decided to test it).
I'm sure its been tried, but perhaps two separate drive circuits could be arranged, one optimized and switched over to at low drive currents, and the other optimized for higher outputs. Or perhaps a high efficiency driver circuit at low to medium power outputs, with a fet circuit for a single "turbo" unregulated (or maybe temp throttled) mode.
I'll have to pick one of these up. The dual fuel compatibility is increasingly a priority with my purchases. I don't mind great lights that use a li-ion, but being able to grab a AA at any corner store has been handy a few times in the past.
). The older drivers had something like 4x the runtime at the lowest setting compared to the same output with the new driver (although the new drivers were no slouch, my old edc140n ran for well over 400hrs on a primary 123 cell when I decided to test it).I'm sure its been tried, but perhaps two separate drive circuits could be arranged, one optimized and switched over to at low drive currents, and the other optimized for higher outputs. Or perhaps a high efficiency driver circuit at low to medium power outputs, with a fet circuit for a single "turbo" unregulated (or maybe temp throttled) mode.
I'll have to pick one of these up. The dual fuel compatibility is increasingly a priority with my purchases. I don't mind great lights that use a li-ion, but being able to grab a AA at any corner store has been handy a few times in the past.
